IMPERIALS have cultivated the most versatile squad their A Grade coach Kym Mayne has ever worked with.
This is both a blessing and a curse for the experienced coach as the girls in green and white head into their opening game of the Sunraysia Football and Netball League (SFNL) season against Irymple today.
Former Mildura players Amy Dodds and Maddie Alvino will don Imperials colours for the first time, while they will look to deal with the outgoings of young gun Kalo Moi Moi and experienced campaigners Laura Key and Jade Scott.
Mayne said the majority of her players could take up any position on the court, and the contest with the Swallows will see the team trial different combinations.
“I have five goalies who could easily play defence, and mid courters who could play at either end,” she said.
“On one hand that’s a great asset to have, but it also means we’ve got some sorting out to do. It will be all about finding the right combinations because we have such a versatile squad. I’ve never actually seen a squad so versatile in my entire career.
“We’ll probably be trialling different combinations quarter by quarter in game one to try and find out what will work best.”
Mayne said it is a younger squad taking to the court in 2021.
“We lost Kalo Moi Moi who’s moved back to NZ, and we have no Laura Key or Jade Scott, so there is less experience, but a really exciting crop of young players, who are mostly around their early 20’s,” she said.
“In the past these young players have probably been in a role where the senior players could help look after them a bit more, but they will have the extra responsibility this year.
”It’s round one, and what will be, will be. The result of this game isn’t th be all and end all.
“We still haven’t had a chance to put all of our systems into place yet, but in general, I don’t think we could possibly be any stronger. The only other one to come back in might be Meg McManus, who is playing B Grade this week.”
Imperials’ opponents Irymple put in a commanding display against South Mildura on Good Friday with a 16-goal victory.
Steph O’Loughlin fired home a massive 42 points for the Swallows in game one, with Sherrie Geister chipping in with 18. Mid-court star Shakara Delcastegne also helped lead the line.
In other round two games, Merbein will look to start the season 2-0 when they come up against Mildura.
Wing players Emily Carmichael and Stephanie White were able to lead the Magpies over the line by one goal against Robinvale Euston, while Rebecca Harvey did the shooting damage with 24 goals.
The Demons went down in a tight tussle with defending premiers Ouyen United 39-33, however Zara Copley and Olivia Knights both looked the goods in attack.
An improving Robinvale Euston side have a tough task coming up against an impressive Wentworth outfit, who took care of Red Cliffs last week.
Shooter Georgie Kelly made 24 shots against Merbein, while centre Isobella Giofrelle was also impressive.
Goal keeper Natalie Vercher will stand side-by-side with Kelly, while the Roos will have one of the more potent attacking duos in Amanda Edwards and Abigail Rowe.
Red Cliffs will also look to put in a strong performance against South Mildura at Quandong Park.
Captain Hayley Nelson and Alana Ralli were the Tigers’ top performers against Wentworth, while South skipper Maddy Toms will lead from the front again.
All A Grade matches start at midday.
